IATA says Middle East airlines need state aid due to liquidity crisis

Credit: Reuters- Published on March 19, 2020

Governments must urgently consider providing aid to airlines in the Middle East to help them cope with a liquidity crisis due the coronavirus outbreak, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said on Thursday.

The U.S. warned Americans to return home or to stay abroad indefinitely. As the number of coronavirus deaths hit 200, Senate Republicans unveiled a $1 trillion economic stimulus plan. According to Reuters, the plan would provide funds directly to businesses and the American public. Two officials briefed on the matter said the U.S. may restrict travel across the U.S.-Mexico border. The Trump administration said it was not ruling out a temporary halt to all U.S. passenger air travel.